Presenter: Sai Teja Peddinti, Google
Abstract: As the digital landscape expands, traditional models of threat mitigation and user support are failing to keep pace with the unprecedented security, privacy, and safety challenges. Fortunately, the rise of large language models (LLMs) offers a powerful new paradigm for defense. This talk explores how LLMs are being leveraged to improve digital privacy, security, and safety from the network layer down to the individual user. We will examine how LLMs are opening new frontiers in cybersecurity and solving complex challenges, such as: inferring device identities through semantic analysis of network traffic, mapping global privacy trends by distilling over a decade of app reviews, and analyzing user help-seeking behaviors across millions of social media interactions. Ultimately, this talk will demonstrate how AI is evolving from a technological novelty into an essential foundation for scalable, proactive, and human-centric digital defense.
Bio: Sai Teja Peddinti (https://www.saitejapeddinti.com) is a Staff Research Scientist at Google, where his research focuses on the intersection of Privacy, Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Mining. His research employs a multidisciplinary approach, blending qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate user and developer privacy preferences and translate those insights into scalable privacy/security features using LLMs and large-scale data analysis. Sai Teja holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the NYU Tandon School of Engineering (2014). His research has garnered industry recognition, including the IAPP SOUPS Privacy Award and finalist placements in major applied research competitions. Throughout his education, he has been honored with numerous accolades.
Hosted by: Professor Ram Sundara Raman
Date and Time: Wednesday, June 3, from 11:00 am – 12:15 pm
Location: Engineering 2, Room E2-180 (Refreshments such as fruit, pastries, coffee, and tea will be provided.)
Zoom Option: https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/93445911992?pwd=YkJ2TQtF79h0PcNXbEcpZLbpK0coiY.1&jst=3